Dark Shadows
Based on an American daytime soap opera running from 1966 – ’71, ‘Dark Shadows’ has had a lasting influence. Shows such as ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘True Blood’ have borrowed from its many gothic contrivances and has obviously influenced this movies’ creative talents. Self-confessed fans Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up once again to create an ode to a show they grew up watching with its unique undertones given a new spin.
After breaking the heart of vengeful witch Angelique (Eva Green), Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) is buried alive. Over 200 years later his is accidentally freed and aims to restore his family’s name. Returning to his once prized mansion he meets his descendants who have several secrets of their own. With Angelique still lurking in the shadows, Barnabas attempts to unearth the mysteries of his blood-line and banish evil into an unforgiving darkness.
Opting for a blancmange of styles from comedy, fantasy and drama, ‘Dark Shadows’ is a decidedly mixed bag. Whilst the actors gleefully portray their very odd roles with aplomb, the script they’re given is unfocussed. Certain characters appear and vanish without explanation with much needed exposition missing. Burton’s insistence on injecting over the top humour to the story also harms an otherwise good movie. Occasionally there’s a feel he and Depp are on auto-pilot with their partnership perhaps in too much of a creative comfort zone.
Saving it is some fantastic production design successfully evoking early 70’s kitsch and a plot moving at a cracking pace. The original TV series’ eye for the macabre is thankfully intact as well as some outlandish twists well known in the soapie genre. Fans of the show may see a few nods to the past with a style evoking the original setting quite well. Although the finale walks a well-worn path the way towards it is enjoyable enough with Burton’s typical directorial flourishes in evidence.
‘Dark Shadows’ may have its faults but it’s an amiable enough ride. It also proves how near 50 year old series can continue to thrive long after their demise – just like the many ghosts the films strange characters continually face.
Rating out of 10: 6
Iron Sky
It’s a brave film these days selling itself as a fantasy spoof featuring Nazis. While TV shows such as ‘Allo Allo’ and ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ made a virtue of skewering them, recent movies on the same topic have been scarce. Enter ‘Iron Sky’ – featuring wicked Nazis, space-ships and world domination. While all very politically incorrect, it has an abundance of imaginative flair making it engaging. Mixing the fantasy/science-fiction genre with great skill, it’s an entertaining movie with enough inventive ideas rivalling any over-blown blockbuster.
Astronaut James Washington (Christopher Kirby) is sent to the moon at the bequest of the war-mongering American President (Stephanie Paul). Upon landing he encounters a den of Nazis – descendants of those who fled to outer space after their defeat in World War 2. Led by Fuhrer Wolfgang (Udo Kier) and deadly Lieutenant Klaus (Gotz Otto), they plan to invade earth. Among those wanting to foil their plot is scientist Renate (Julia Dietze) who aims to save the world amidst an onslaught of evil superiority.
Taking its satirical cue from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Dr. Strangelove’, ‘Iron Sky’ revels in its creative silliness. Whilst its screenplay has nowhere near Strangelove’s intellectual wit it has a lot going for it in enthusiasm. It’s easy seeing this was made by a group of film-makers enthused by comic books and various action films as their influence is readily seen. From the many well rendered space battles to the stock standard fantasy archetypes, their efforts in crafting an over the top romp is welcome.
While falling down a little in terms of pacing and not having enough strong characters, the performers are generally good. This isn’t an acting piece and it’s the CGI and action Director Timo Vuorensola wants everyone to see and there’s plenty of it with the ridiculous story knowing no limits. If it isn’t taken seriously then some fun should be had even if the script could have used some more work.
‘Iron Sky’ was clearly made by those loving creating genre twists of which this is much. A new performer in the theatre of the absurd it will be interesting seeing what its makers craft for their second act.
Rating out of 10: 6